From Sept. 14-20, Chicago hosts the World Music Festival, an eclectic event that spans the city. The fest promises to change any limited views you might have of what "world music" is, with featured artists specializing in hip-hop, jazz, gypsy, blues, gospel, funk, soul, reggae, rock, folk and more all represented within the schedule's melting pot. Should you choose to, you could experience a different culture's music every day (check that, every hour) of the week-long celebration.

With so much happening in so many places, it can be difficult to make sense of what's worth seeing. Here's our proposed game plan (many performers play several times throughout the week, so you should check out the full schedule to see what works best for you).   

Happy travels!

Friday, September 14

Start early with a free performance from "African Axe Man" Louis Mhlanga at Borders (150 N. State, 12:30 p.m.). The Zimbabwean guitarist fuses a traditional spiritual sound with elements of pop and funk (can't get away from your desk? Listen to Mhlanga perform live on WLUW 88.7 FM from 11 a.m.-noon). After work, mosey on over to the Museum of Contemporary Art for the Dhoad Gypsies of Rajasthan (7:30 p.m., $12), who will create a performance full of passionate desert music and dance (and perhaps some fire-eating). Finish off your night at Sonotheque,  where  the Super Barrio Brothers go head to head with the Aguzate DJ Crew in what should be a booty-shaking soul party.

Saturday, September 15

Get some rest? Good, because you're gonna need it. Start your day off at Navy Pier, where the Tuvan throat singers of Chirgilchin are sure to blow your mind (noon, free). Then it's time for a trip to Truman College's Outdoor Mall for the Afrique Rhythm Fest. DJ Le Spam and a host of guests will school you in electronic Latin funk (3 p.m., free). If you're still up for Latin sounds, Jose Conde & Ola Fresca have come from New York City to put a fresh spin  on traditional Cuban styles at the Humboldt Park Boathouse (6 p.m., free). Finish off your long day at the Kinetic Playground with former Living Colour guitarist Vernon Reid. His band, the Yohimbe Brothers, does some out-of-this-world (or, really, around it) electronic mash-ups of tunes from both American and Latin cultures (10 p.m., $12).

Sunday, September 16

Feel free to sleep in today, but not too late;  you don't want to miss balafon legend Balla Kouyate with his band, World Vision, at Eli's Cheesecake Festival (2 p.m., free).  His soothing sounds should go perfectly with a slice (of course, what doesn't?), but don't overeat, because you'll be dancing up a storm later on at Martyrs thanks to the gypsy sounds of Romashka and Hazmat Modine (8 p.m., $12).

Monday, September 17

Sick of the normal turkey sandwich for lunch? Spice up your day with a live performance from renowned percussionist Lekan Babalola. He performs at the Chicago Cultural Center (11 a.m.-noon, free); the show will also be broadcast live on WLUW. Remember your route, because you'll be heading to the Center later on for Orchestra of Tangier, Ahmed Zaitouni's Andalusian ensemble (8 p.m., free). This Arab classical concert will feature vocals from the legendary Abderrahim Souiri.

Tuesday, September 18

If you work in the Loop, you owe it to yourself to check out 17 Hippies at Daley Plaza (noon, 50 W. Washington). This 13-piece group mixes traditional Eastern European and American folk with influences from their native Berlin for a truly original sound. You won't have to travel much further at night, but Columbia College's Conaway Center will feel miles away, as the room fills with the multicultural sounds of MC Rai; you may have seen him perform with the likes of Michael Franti and Bonnie Raitt (8 p.m., free).

Wednesday, September 19

Only two days left, so you've really gotta pack it in at this point. Have a listen to Slovenian chart-toppers Brina on WLUW (11 a.m.-noon), then take a trip to the Michigan Avenue Borders for the whimsical Balkan sounds of One Ring Zero (12:30 p.m.; free). At night, stop by the Old Town School of Folk Music for a show that covers almost as much ground as the entire festival. The Grandmaster of Rai, Maurice El Medioni, teams up with Cuban drummer Roberto Rodriguez for a transcontinental jam session. Then Estrella Acosta's Guaija Project will take everyone on a musical journey through the Cuban countryside (8:30 p.m.; free).

Thursday, September 20

On your last day, tune in to WLUW to hear some Brazilian percussion courtesy of Cyro Baptista (who's toured with the likes of Paul Simon and Trey Anastasio), and even a bit of Portuguese fado from Helder Moutinho (11 a.m.-noon). Then book it over to Borders on State Street for some chamame (Argentinean rural dance music). Don't be surprised if Chango Spasiuk throws in a few polkas or rancheras as well (12:30 p.m., free). Finish things off with a mini-festival of free performances at the Chicago Cultural Center. "One World Under One Roof' will feature a wide range of acts, but try not to miss openers Amazones, the Woman Drummers of Guinea (begins at 7 p.m., free).